Controlling electrically-propelled vessels.



B. LJUNGSTRUM.

CONTROLLING ELECTRICALLY PROPELLED VESSELS.

APPLICATION ElLED APR. 16, 1915.

1,242,357. Patented Oct. 9, 1917.

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CONTROLLING ELECTRICALLY PROPELLED VESSELS.

APPLiCATION FlL ED APR.16, I915.

1,242,357. Patented Oct. 9,1917.

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BIRGER LJ'UNGSTIRG'M, OF STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, ASSIGNOR TO AKTIEBOLAGET .LJUNGSTBbMS ANGTURBIN, 0F STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN.

CONTROLLING ELECTRIOALLY-PROPELLED VESSELS.

Application filed April 16, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Brnenn LJUNGsTnou, a subject of the King of Sweden, citizen of Sweden, residing at Itegeringsgatan 52, Stockholm, Sweden, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Controliing Electrically-Propelled Vessels, of which. the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for con trolling the movement of vessels propelled by electric motors, the generators of which may be actuated by steam-turbines, and it relates especially to such devices when ap plied and adapted to electric motors and generators using alternating current with variable resistances and divers phases. The said invention consists chiefly in the combination of a controlling rock-shaft with resistance regulating means and means for reversing the current, both being carried thereby and arranged so that the rocking movement of the shaft in either direction from a central position of maximum resistance and minimum speed will progressively reduce resistance until the latter is cut out altogether and the maximum speed forward or backward is attained, the reversing of the current and of the action of the motor being caused by the same rocking movement of the shaft in either direction as it passes the central position. The said invention also consists in the combination with the above devices of supplemental means for short circuiting the entire resistance to insure this action when the shaft is turned to the position of greatest speed in either direction. The said invention further consists in certain details of construction and combination of the various devices employed as hereinafter more particularly set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 represents an end elevation of mechanism embodying my invention, one of the slotted guide brackets being shown in vertical section;

Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the same.

A frame 00 of any convenient form supports the governing mechanism for speed and direction. In this frame is mounted a shaft 6, provided with a hand-wheel a for turning it ,on its aXis in either direction at will and geared by an endless chain or belt t or other convenient means for transmitting Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 9, 1917.

Serial No. 21,908.

motion to the speed-controlling and direction-controlling crank-shaft 0, the double crank Z being located at the middle of this shaft and having suspended therefrom a resistancagoverning bar 6 rising and falling with the movement of said crank and shaft in either direction. Vi hen said shaft and crank are in the middle position the resistance is at its maximum. The arrangement of the resistance and of the said bar are such that the movement of the bar when the shaft is turnedL in either direction opera es to out off sections of the resistance or otherw se regularly reduce the same, until in the hlghest position attainable in such move- .ment the resistance is wholly cut out and ended, so that the maximum. of speed of the motor and the vessel will be reached.

The shaft 0 also carries two eccentrics f f cooperating with studs 7& 70*, carried by two vertically movable bars 72, '72,, which are respectively attached to the middle parts of lovers 2" 2' the latter being hung pivotally at one end by links j from the frame a and suspending from their operative ends the rods or bars n n which operate the motor reversing switches Z Z by raising and lowering certain parts of the latter. The middle portions .of said levers rise and fall with bars 72, 71,2 in guide-brackets 8 fixed to said frame, the sides of said bracket being slot-ted to permit such upward and downward movement of said levers.

Each of the eccentrics f f carries a projecting cam arranged to operate the stud 7L3 7?, said parts being arranged to operate the respective switches Z Z when the crank shaft 0 turns past its neutral or middle point in ,one direction or the other. To this end the cams are arranged as shown in Fig. 2 on opposite parts of the eccentrics.

The switches l Z are connected with the motors by a parallel series of circuit wires and with the resistances by a corresponding series in practical continuation thereof, these circuit wires, marked 0 and p, are connected to the respective switches aforesaid, corresponding to the phases of the motor and to the sections of the resistance. In one of said switches the phases are connected in one manner, in the other switch in another manner, to provide for reversing the action of the motor.

In order to insure reliable short circuit of the entire resistance when. the shaft 0 is at the position of greatest speed forward or backward, additional switches m m are employed, thesame being operated by crank (Z, so that if by any chancethe resistance has not been wholly cut out by the movement of bar 6 the switch m or m will efi'ect this result at the proper time. These addi tional switches are not indispensable, however, as the bar 6 will always suffice unless in case of some accident or very unusual condition. The contacts of said switches m and m correspond in number to the phases of the motor and to the sections of the re sistanoe.

As the wheel a is turned by hand in either direction away from its middle position the corresponding movement of shaft 0 causes, through its crank (Z, the bar 6 to move soas to progressively cut out one after another of the resistance sections or other wise steadily lessen the resistance. If continued to its extreme position in this direction it eliminates the resistance altogether and the vessel is at full speed, forward or backward, as the case may be. A movement in the reverse direction of course steadily. increases the resistance until the middle point is reached when the switch Z or Z which has been controlling the phases is cut out and the other switch Z or Z switched in, reversing the motor but otherwise operating as before.

This invention does not at all include the construction of the generator A, Fig. 2, the motor B, the resistance C, the switches Z Z nor the electric connections 0 0, p 72. It is merely required that the same shaft shall be adapted to actuate by the same movement the reversing of the alternating motor or motors and the gradual increase or decrease of resistance and consequently of speed, ending in eliminating the former and reaching the maximum of the latter.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A rock-shaft for controlling both speed and direction, in combination with resistance-governing means actuated by said shaft to progressively reduce resistance and increase speed as said shaft is rocked in either direction from a middle position, a pair of eccentrics carried by said shaft and arranged to operate reversely with respect to each other, a pair of switches for an electromotor circuit arranged to reverse the direction of motor operation as said shaft turns past said middle point and intervening devices whereby said eccentrics actuate said switches alternately as set forth.

2. In combination with a shaft having a crank and means for operating the same, a resistance-governing bar dependent from said crank and lifted thereby as it turns upward from its lowest position in either direction, a pair of eccentrics turning with said shaft, a pair of electric switches, a pair of levers from which the movable parts of said switches are suspended, a pair of bars to which said levers are attached and which are provided with studs engaging said eccentrics, and the necessary conductors of an electro-motor circuit connected to and governed by said switches.

In combination with a rock-shaft and connections for gradually reducing electrical resistance as said shaft is rocked in either direction from a middle position, a pair of eccentrics carried by said shaft, a pair of bars raised and lowered by said eccentrics, a pair of levers attached to and moving with said bars, slotted guiding brackets for said bars and levers, a pair of switches for reversing an alternating current of several phases and means connecting said levers to parts of said switches for actuating the latter as said bars move up and down, the construction and arrangement of said eccentrics providing for such actuation of the switches as said middle point is approximately passed.

4. In combination with means for reducing resistance, means for operating the reversing switches of an alternating urrent of divers phases, supplemental switches adapted to said phases for cutting out all resistance, and a crank-shaft carrying said means of both kinds and actuating said supplemental switches, the said devices being arranged to decrease resistance and thereby increase speed as the shaft is turned in either direction away from its middle position, to insure the cutting out of all resistance when the extreme position of said shaft in either direction is reached and, to reverse the current through the several phases when the crank shaft approaches its middle position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presen e of two subscribing witnesses.

BIRGER LJUNGSTROM.

itncsses J ACOB BAGGE, FRANK LYON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained tor'flve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

